Volunteering starts with a small step – see how Monika, Account Executive at Sii, has been combining professional development with a passion for helping

Dedication, energy, and a big heart for people – this is how you can briefly describe Monika Mikosza, an Account Executive and leader of volunteer projects at Sii Poland. For 17 years, she has been developing her career in sales, building relationships with clients, and engaging in social initiatives. Her story is proof that changes can be opportunities, and volunteering – a path to discovering meaning and impact.

What makes you work at Sii for so long? 

I’ll answer paradoxically – I like changes. Although I’ve been here for over 17 years, my work is still evolving. I started with clients from Warsaw, then collaborated with the telecommunications and utility industries, and now I operate in the UK market. I’m lucky with people and supervisors, and at Sii, I value the space for learning and the opportunity to engage in initiatives beyond my role.

Would you say engaging people is your specialty?

I think there’s something to it! I belong to the group of employees with the longest tenure – I started when Sii had only 80 Power People. Back then, the company’s growth meant engaging and winning over both clients and the first teams. The beginnings were challenging, but they prepared me for everything that came later.

Was the path to volunteering also such an evolution? 

Definitely. It started with seeing a post on LinkedIn from the Working Dogs Foundation, supporting owners of adopted dogs, looking for participants in dog training. I showed up with my dogs and later asked if I could help in other ways. It turned out that it could be done in many ways and that volunteering doesn’t have to mean a huge sacrifice – you just need to take the first step and decide on the level of involvement yourself.

I was also surprised by how diverse the forms of help can be – from physical work, through support with donations, to skills-based volunteering. You just need to find something that suits you and share your resources. I started as a volunteer, and today I I am the leader of the Sii Power Volunteers program.

Are there any foundations that are closest to you? 

I love dogs – I own two myself, so I work with foundations that help animals, such as Working Dogs Foundation or Azyl pod Psim Aniołem, with pleasure and passion.

At Sii, I also got to know the Senior w Koronie Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for people over 75 who live in poverty and struggle with loneliness and health problems. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, seniors receive nutritious meals, essential items, and personalized help they really need.

What does your help involve? 

In Senior w Koronie, I pack aid packages with food and everyday items every week and deliver them to the beneficiaries. This way, I get to know them, listen to their stories, and find out what help they really need. I also observe the organization’s processes and see areas where I can use my business skills – this way, I help the foundation grow strategically. Foundations also need structured business processes and IT solutions, for example, to improve fundraising or managing beneficiary data.

Do you have other experiences in the Sii Power Volunteers program? What was the project you led like? 

I obtained a grant, thanks to which we supported the Daj Herbatę Foundation and a local hospice. Over 30 people from Sii, with smiles on their faces, sanded boards, pulled weeds, or washed windows. It was an amazing experience – we helped and integrated as a team, regardless of position and place in the company hierarchy. We had one goal and acted as one team.

What motivated you to act? 

Partly… it was a feeling of jealousy. Seeing how many charitable activities other Sii branches undertake, I wanted more to happen in this area in Warsaw as well.

We did it and want more such actions! 

Is being a project leader a challenge? 

Yes, but a rewarding one. You need to inspire people, organize activities, and build a sense of purpose. However, volunteers act from the heart, so it’s a big help. The biggest challenge is balancing volunteering with work and private life, but the results give great satisfaction. Combining these roles is definitely a matter of proper organization and priorities. The flexibility of actions allows me to engage a few hours a week – often after work or on weekends.

Additionally, the Sii Power Volunteers program really shows how professional support can transform the volunteering experience. This is especially useful for people who are just starting their adventure with social projects. As part of the program, we receive help in signing donation agreements or transferring funds. These are often the most demanding organizational aspects. Thanks to this, I can focus on what is most important, which is real help. Access to our internal graphic designers, copywriters, and communication team is an absolute luxury. Professional promotional materials and well-planned communication can take the project to a completely different level. It’s not only a convenience but also skill-building.

What does volunteering give you? 

Emotionally – satisfaction and a sense of purpose. Thanks to volunteering, I feel that together we can achieve more!

Professionally – an opportunity to use skills in a new context.

And personally – the chance to meet fantastic people. 

Has volunteering changed your outlook on life? 

It may sound grand, but definitely yes. It taught me empathy, humility, and gratitude for what I have. Observing the foundation’s beneficiaries we help, I appreciate even more what I have – my health, loved ones around me, a job that offers great opportunities, and resources that allow me to lead a fulfilling life.

I also received very positive feedback on my actions from friends who often say, “I admire that you want to do this.” Even when there is chaos, a lot of duties, or organizational problems – helping others builds my motivation for further actions.

What are your plans for the future? 

I would like to get involved in fundraising for foundations because without proper financial support, they cannot fulfill their mission. I also want to show others that volunteering doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. I also dream of keeping the energy and motivation to act for a long time.

What would you say to people who are considering volunteering?

Try taking a small step. Volunteering is about discovering emotions, meaning, and new perspectives. I once feared I couldn’t handle it, and today I feel I receive more than I give.